A solid, sweet book that is more about siblinghood, especially sisterhood, than it is about romance, even if it is called a romance. 

Overall a pretty respectful depiction of autism, too, especially as seen through the eyes of the protagonist’s teen sister. I like that all the autistic characters are very clearly autistic, but in different ways. It would have been better with less mentions of “innocence” but it also lets its autistic characters want things, like to drive and to kiss and to feel lust—you know, the kind of stuff disabled people are often not allowed to aspire to. 

SPOILER INCOMING.

I am iffy about the institution Ethan gets sent to being presented as positive, but I also get that the book doesn’t want to end as a major bummer, and that the institution isn’t also seen as the Best Solution Ever. It’s kind of the characters working with what they’ve got, which honestly seems realistic to me. Especially since they’re high schoolers.